The mathematician in question is Associate Professor of Mathematics Tim Chartier. The puzzle in question is also known by earlier names, including the Vanishing Leprechaun, the Disappearing Dwarf and the Swinging Sixties Pinup Girls.

Fresh off a "March Mathness" media tour, now Chartier welcomes April, Mathematics Awareness Month, with publication of his new book, Math Bytes: Google Bombs, Chocolate-Covered Pi, and Other Cool Bits in Computing.